Coin controlled dispensing machine



Nov. 15,1960 R. E. HORTON COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Feb. 6, 1951 lnnentor ZcwneaE Haerav Nov. 15, 1960 R. E. HORTON 2,950,204

com CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 6, 1951 s Sheets-Sheet 2 59 r Q 5 Bnventor @cm eo E. Hoe T'oM 8n MAL-i W Gttotnegs Nov, .15, 1960 R. E. HORTON 2,960,204

COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE Original Filed Feb. 6, 1951 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 .Z'g 7 I ig 6 3nventor Rev/flea E Haerm/ attorney;

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fla/#720 E HoEra/J li -flu Nov. 15, 1960 R. E. HORTON COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHI Original Filed Feb. 6, 1951 No 1960 R. E. HORTON com CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE 5 Sheets-$heet 5 Original Filed Feb. 6, 1951 Iiiiiiilllllllilliiiilflllllimi Zmnentor 1 l I r .II

Exam/ea E. H

attorneys United States Patent COIN CONTROLLED DISPENSING MACHINE Richard E. Horton, Chicago, Ill., assignor to Precision Metal Workers, a partnership Original application Feb. 6, 1951, Ser. No. 209,617. lSJivided and this application Dec. 22, 1955, Ser. No.

Claims. (Cl. 194-58) This invention relates to improvements in coin controlled dispensing machines.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No. 209,617, filed February 6, 1951, and now abandoned.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a coin controlled dispensing machine which may be made in large quantities by modern mass production methods at relatively low cost per unit, and which will, at the same time, constitute an improvement over prior art devices adapted for the same purpose. In this connection itis an object of the invention to provide a coin operated dispensing machine having a package dispensing cycle responsive to the insertion of a coin of proper denomination, but which will refuse admittance to or reject all coins other than the selected denomination.

A specific object of the invention is to provide a coin operated dispenser in which the coin control mechanism comprises a compact integral unit wholly removable from the dispenser cabinet with which it is associated and which may be fabricated and assembled separately from the cabinet for later incorporation therewith. The coin control mechanism includes a latching mechanism interengageable with the dispensing parts of the cabinet and which prevent the dispensing of an article from the cabinet except when the latch is mechanically displaced from locking position by the active interaction therewith of a properly dimensioned coin. In this connection the invention is characterized by the interplay between the cabinet dispensing parts and the coin control mechanism wherein the dispensing cycle and the coin control mechanism is normally actuated by a plunger connected to an article .ejector and also to the coin mechanism through a single connection between the ejector and the coin control mechamsm.

Another specific object of the invention is to provide a coin control mechanism having a coin carrier movable between coin accepting and coin depositing positions, and a stop latch mechanism which blocks the carrier from moving through such positions unless displaced laterally by the camming action of a coin of the proper size. The latching mechanism also acts as an undersize coin rejector by serving as a coin size gauging member to interrupt travel of proper size coins and permit travel of undersized coins to a coin reject slot. The proper size coins are halted in position where they are effective to cam the latch away from carrier blocking position upon proper manipulation of the ejector plunger.

A further specific object of the invention is to provide a novel coin track which includes a pivotal portion. The pivotal portion acts, in one position of pivotal movement, as a coin intercepter to intercept a coin of proper dimension after it has cammed the stop latch away from coin carrier blocking movement and to direct the intercepted coin to a coin collecting receptacle. The intercepter also acts, in another position of pivotal movement, as a track upon which undersize coins travel to a coin return slot.

Another object of the invention is to provide a spur- 2,960,204 Patented Nov. 15, 1960 ions coin rejector for the purpose of rejecting underweight coins or paper tokens or the like.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel dispenser cabinet having a storage compartment through which stored dispensable packages are gravity fed to a position adjacent a. pusher plate or ejector having actuating connections to a manually operated plunger for the purpose of ejecting each package through a door in the front of the cabinet. The door is desirably hinged to pivot downwardly to act as a guide shelf over which the package is ejected, spring guide fingers being also provided to guide the package through the door opening and over the shelf.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel tilting and sliding coin box which may be drawn forwardly of the receptacle by the coin collector to facilitate removal of the accumulated coins. In this connection the coin box is provided with a three point suspension, the rear suspension points comprising flanges engaging with elongated tracks in the side walls of the cabinet and upon which the box is rotatable through an arc of approximately 45 and which comprise the sole support of the box in its forwardly tilted position.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be more apparent to one skilled in the art upon an examination of the following disclosure.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the dispenser cabinet and the removable coin control mechanism, the coin control mechanism being illustrated separated from the dispenser, and the dispenser cabinet having a side wall cut away to expose its interior construction.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the assembled dispenser.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken through the dispenser from front to rear.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary vertical front to rear cross section on the same scale as Fig. 3, the package ejector and coin collecting box being shown in different positions from those in Fig. 3.

Fig. 5 is a horizontal cross sectional view of the dispenser taken along the lines 5-5 of Fig. 3, the dispenser being shown emptied of packages and portions being broken away to expose details of construction.

Fig. 6 is a front elevational view of the dispenser with the cover removed and with portions of the front panels broken away to expose details of construction.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the cabinet with the cover removed showing the motion transmitting connections between the door and plunger.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the opposite side of the device from that shown in Fig. 7, with the cover removed, and the coin control mechanism being shown in detail.

Fig. 9 is a cross sectional view taken along the broken line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a cross sectional view taken along the broken line 10-10 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the device on the same scale as Fig. 8, the parts being shown at a diiferent portion of the dispensing cycle.

Fig. 12 is an additional fragmentary side elevation of the device shown in Fig. 8, the parts being shown in cycle locking position.

Fig. 13 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modification of the device shown in Fig. 8, the modification being such that the coin control mechanism is responsive to a coin of different dimension from the one shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 14 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 14--14 of Fig. 11.

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the cabinet with the cover removed, similar to that shown in Fig. 7, but with the plunger, door and motion transmitting connections moved to door opening position.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the dispenser comprises a cabinet indicated generally as 16 and a wholly removable coin control mechanism indicated generally as 17. The coin control mechanism is operatively disposed within the cabinet, to be concealed by the housing 18, and in cyclic engagement with the package ejecting mechanism of the cabinet as in Fig. 3.

Within the removable housing 18 the dispenser cabinet comprises a storage compartment or hopper 19 which is bounded by vertical guide channels 20 and a back wall 21, the guide channels 20 comprising inwardly facing angle flanges between which a stack of packaged articles 22 are confined and guided to be gravity fed toward the dispenser floor 23. The packages 22 are rectangular in plan, and may contain any goods desired to be dispensed. The storage compartment of the device disclosed is designed to accommodate packaged folded sanitary napkins, although the adaptability of the machine to dispense a variety of uniformly packaged articles is apparent. Cover 18 is provided with a top locking mechanism 24 which protects the stored articles against theft and secures the cover in place.

The dispenser cabinet 16 further'comprises a front panel 27 and a door 30 hinged to swing downwardly, the cover 18 being cut out at 26 to fit about these elements. An operating rod or plunger 28 carrying a terminal knob 29 extends through the panel 27 for manipulation to extract a package from the dispenser.

As best shown in Figs. 7 and 15, door 30 is pivoted to opposite sides of the cabinet frame on transversely aligned pintles 31 which are journaled in the marginal flanges 32 of the door. Flange 32 at one side of the door is extended generally rearwardly to form a curved lever arm 33, which is slotted along a medial line. Arm 33 is of such configuration that the slot comprises an intermediate arcuate portion 34, a rectilinear portion 35 at one end of the arm, and a rectilinear portion 36 at the other end of the arm.

Door 30 is caused to pivot upon its pintles 31, from the position shown in Fig. 7 to that Shown in Figs. 15 and 4 by manipulation of the plunger 28. The plunger is connected to a sliding plate 39, which carries a transverse pin 40 engaged with the respective communicating slots of arm 33, and which acts as a cam against the sides of said slots. The slot sides respond as cam followers to tilt the door 30 in accordance with the movement of plate 39, cam 40, and plunger 28. Sliding plate 39 is connected by means of, its supporting screws 41 through a side panel slot 42 to the fitting 43 connected with the plunger 28 (Figs. 3, 4, and 7). It. is to be noted that by reason of the engagement of cam 40 with the rectilinear portion 36 of the armslot in the rearmost position of the ejector, there is lost motion between the early stages of plunger withdrawal movement and door tilting. The door will not start to tilt toward open position until cam 40 reaches the arcuate portion 34 of the arm slot. After the door has been tilted to fully open position there is again lost motion when the cam 40 reaches the rectilinear portion 35 of the arm slot (see Fig. 15). Accordingly, continued withdrawal of the plunger thereafter will not affect door position.

By reason of the novel configuration of arm 33 and its medial slots, the interconnection of the plunger 28 with the door 30 through the lever arm, 33 does not restrict the movement of the plunger at either end. of ejector stroke, the plunger and door being positively interlocked only when the cam 40 is engaged with and movable in the arm slot portion 34. For this purpose the arm 33 is so shaped that rectilinear slot 36-is aligned with cam 40 in one extreme position of the door, and rectilinear slot portion 35 is aligned with the cam 40 in the other extreme position of the door, at which. later time the arm reaches the tilted position shown in Fig. 15. Byreason of the aforedescribed"construction, door 30 is opened independently of any pressure thereon by the article being dispensed, and the door is held positively in open or closed position depending upon the position of the plunger.

A-n ejection or pusher plate 45 is also connected to the plunger 28 through the motion transmitting connection 43, and through slotted apertures 44 in the floor 23 (Fig. 5) by means of the bolts 47 (Fig. 9). The pusher plate 45 has a vertical package contact or ejecting surface and an upwardly and rearwardly inclined stack lifting surface 46(Fig. 3 and Fig. 4). The height or vertical extent of the pusher plate ejecting surface 45 corresponds with the height of the bottommost article package 22. By pulling the plunger 28 away from the cabinet face 27, and against the bias of tension springs 49, which are connected at their terminal ends to the connection .43 and to the rear frame portion of the casing, the bottommost article package 22 is ejected or dispensed through the door 30, which is downwardly tilted by reason of the connection just described as a preliminary incident to article ejection.

The cabinet 16 is further provided with a set of depending resilient spring fingers 50, mounted on a panel 48 set back from the door 30 and spot welded or otherwise secured to the frontal surfaces of channel 20. The fingers 50 serve to guide the packages in the course of their ejection from the dispenser. The downturned door 30 acts as a dispensing shelf and cooperates with the spring finger 50 in the guidance of the package to an accessible position, and provides a base against which the fingers press the package.

An important feature of the invention is that as the bottomm'ost package 22 is being ejected, the remaining stored packages in the cabinet are elevated somewhat upon the inclined stock lifting surface 46 of the pusher, which acts as a cam to lift said storage packages. Upon removal of the ejected package the spring fingers 50 will return under self-bias to a position barring access to the storage compartment. At the same time the stored packages 22 will be elevated to a somewhat remote position respecting the door opening. Accordingly, it will be difficult for one to reach in the storage chamber to illegally remove a package. It is to be noted that the inclined stack lifting surface 46 of the ejector has its trailing edge 51 disposed somewhat to the rear of the pusher plate 45 so that when the plunger is at the extreme forward end of its stroke, the stored packages are supported somewhere near their center line. In this manner the packages are restrained from falling behind the pusher plate to interfere with the return of the pusher plate to a position Where it may pick up a new package. Ordinarily, and unless the plunger is held in Withdrawn position, immediately upon removal of the ejected package 22 the springs 49 will return the plunger and pusher 45 to rearmost position, and at the same time close the door 30. Spring 50, acting through the package to hold door 30 open, precludes return movement of the ejector until the package is removed.

The dispenser is further provided with means preventing jamming of the cycle whereby to require each cycle to be completed before the next cycle begins. The bottom edge of sliding plate'39 (see Fig. 7) is serrated or notched at 52 to comprise a ratchet. A pawl 53 is mounted on pivot pin 55 with its notch or ratchet en'- gaging end 56 in the path of the notches 52. Spring 54 biases the pawl to upright position- The end 56. of the pawl is higher than the roots of the notches 52. Accordingly, the pawl 53 will pivot on its pin 55 to function in the well known manner to require the plate to move completely past the pawl in either directionof movement before the direction can be reversed. By reason of this pawl and ratchet the springs 49 are ineffective to return a partially ejected package once the ejection cycle is started.

From the foregoing it is evident that, but for the coin control now to be described, all of the packages in the dispenser could be successively ejected through the door 30 by successively reciprocating the plunger 28 in an ejection cycle including withdrawal of the plunger 28 with its pusher plate 45 and package 22, the simultaneous opening of the door 30 to provide access to the package, and retraction of the plunger 28 and pusher plate 45 under the bias of springs 49 with a consequent closing of the door 30. This cycle, however, is made to operate in response to the insertion in the machine of a coin of proper dimension whereby to key the cycle to coin insertion. For this purpose, the Wholly separable coin control mechanism 17 is disposed in a readily removable position within the cabinet, but interengages the package ejecting mechanism to require each ejection cycle of the machine to function only upon use of a pre-selected coin. The coin control mechanism is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1, and in more detail in Figs. 8 through 14.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the side wall 59 of the dispenser cabinet is apertured to a configuration including an'elongated or slot shaped portion 60, and a deeper portion 61 of less length than the slot 60. The motion transmitting connection 43 of the plunger carries a sidewardly extending arm 62 (Fig. 9) having a downturned apertured ear 63 movable with the plunger and adjacent the wall slot 60. The apertured ear 63 is engaged by a stud 64 on the coin control mechanism and constitutes the releasable interconnection between the coin control and ejector and serves to key the ejector cycle to coin actuation. Stud 64 is fixed to a coin carrier 65 on the coin control mechanism, the functioning of which will be hereinafter described more in detail.

The coin control mechanism 17 is fixed to the dispenser with its stud 64 engaging the apertured car 63 of the ejector motion transmitting connection by means of engagement of the notches 66, in the main or backing plate 67 of the coin control mechanism, with the outstruck upstanding lugs 70 on the dispenser wall 59. The single connection of bolt 71 through aperture 72 in the upper portion of the dispenser side wall 59 positively couples the coin control mechanism to the cabinet. Removal of bolt 71 will permit the entire coin control mechanism to be disengaged from the side wall of the cabinet and from interconnection with the ejecting apparatus. Accordingly, replacement or repair of the coin control mechanism is facilitated. Replacement might become necessary if a coin control mechanism accepting a coin of a different denomination is desired to be substituted for the one originally provided. By making the coin control separate from the cabinet, each may be made separately and brought together only during the final act of assembly. Accordingly, mass production tech niques separately adapted to the fabrication of the two components may be utilized to the fullest extent. In particular, the coin control mechanism may be stamped and assembled independently of the cabinet.

As best shown in Figs. 8 through 14 the coin control mechanism 17 comprises a main or base plate 67 upon which all of the other elements of the separately fabricated coin control mechanism are mounted. The base plate is provided with an aperture including an elongated slot 68 and a portion 69 deeper than slot 68. These apertured portions are aligned, when the coin control is mounted on the cabinet, with the slot 60 and opening 61 of cabinet wall 59.

The coin control elements include a coin chute 76 having a coin admitting funnel shaped end 77 which aligns, when the coin control mechanism is mounted on the cabinet, with a coin slot 78 on the casing 18. The coin chute 76 is formed from a stamped plate spaced somewhat from the base plate 67, and bolted thereto by the several bolts 79. As diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 8, a coin inserted in the machine through the coin slot 78 will travel by gravity down the chute 76 and past the coin depositing end 80 of the chute. The coin chute is provided with an offset or jog for a purpose to be hereinafter pointed out.

Disposed immediately below the coin depositing end of the chute is what is denominated a coin carrier 65. The coin carrier 65 is slidable between and through a coin accepting position, shown in Fig. 8, and a coin depositing position, shown in Fig. 11. The coin carrier 65 is provided with an inturned rear edge 81, and is supported upon screw heads or rivets 82 which are engaged in a slot 83 of a stamped plate 84 mounted in spaced parallel relation to the main plate 67 by the screws 85. The spacing from the main plate of plate 84 and coin carrier 65 provides a continuation of the coin chute 76, the coin carrier 65 being movable on its slotted support 83 in a direction paralleling the path of the package ejector 45 within the cabinet.

After leaving the depositing end 80 of the coin chute 76 a coin will be supported in the coin accepting position of the carrier 65 on a'floor or track 88, conveniently stuck out from the base plate 67. A continuation of track 88 is provided by a pivotal track 89 and a track 90, track 90 being on a lower level than pivoted track 89 and terminating at a coin return slot 91 on the cabinet. All undersized coins will roll through chute 76, and along tracks 88, 89 and 90 to the coin return slot 91. When the machine is set to accept a nickel, pennies and dimes 110 are undersized and will roll unobstructed to the coin return 91.

Proper sized coins, as a nickel 98, will be stopped by abutment with the latch 93 which projects into their path. Latch 93 is mounted on pivot 92 and is biased by spring 94 into contact with the top edge 96 of the carrier 65. The coin carrier 65 is further provided with a side portion notch 95. If no coin 98 of proper size is inserted in the device, the notch is engaged by the latch 93 when the carrier is withdrawn slightly from the coin accepting position of Fig. 8 and to the cycle locking position shown in Fig. 12. The latch 93 thereupon prevents further movement of the coin carrier 65. As the coin carrier 65 carries stud 64 which is interconnected with the apertured ear 63 fixed to ejector 45, the latch will prevent further movement of the ejector 45. Accordingly, as long as latch 93 is free to enter notch 95 the machine is locked against package ejection.

It is to be noted that there is a short distance or lost motion through which the coin carrier 65 may move from coin accepting position to the position where the latch 93 engages the notch 95 (Fig. 12). This distance corresponds with the extent of the longitudinal rectilinear slot portion 36 of the door pivot arm 33. Accordingly, plunger 28 and coin carrier 65 may be moved through this distance without opening the door 30.

Assuming that the mechanism be constructed to make the ejection cycle responsive to the insertion of a nickel 98, it is noted that a properly inserted nickel 98 will rat on the track 88 to lap the notch 95 and be arrested in its downward movement along the track by abutment of its top edge with the latch 93. Upon wihdrawal of the plunger 28 and ejector 45, motion is transmitted therefrom through the interengaging apertured ear 63 and stud 64 to draw the coin carrier 65 along its slotted support 83. Coin 98 will be urged against the latch 93 by pressure of the carrier back edge 81 and will act to cam the latch 93 over the notch 95, thereby preventing latch 93 from entering the notch 95 and interfering with the ejection of the package 22. The relative position of the parts after the latch has been cammed away from the notch is shown in Fig. 11 where the latch 93 rests on the upper edge 97 of the carrier 65 on the opposite side of the notch 95 from edge 96. The coin is then free to drop into the coin collecting box 99 (Fig. 9). The coin is guided toward the box 99 by a shelf or chute 100 which curves inwardly from the platef84 and through the deep aperture 69 in the back plate 67.

During the course of coin carrier movement along its supporting slot 83 towards coin depositing position, the pivoted track portion 89 is pivoted on its supporting pintle 102 to a position where the track portion 89 is swung clear of the way for the coin 98 to fall onto the shelf 100, and also to extend into the path of the coin to intercept the coin and prevent it from proceeding onward to the coin return track portion 90. The pivoting of the intercepter 89 is accomplished by providing the intercepter with a fixed pin 103 offset from its pivot 102 and which rides in a slot 104 in the coin carrier 65. Slot 104 is elongated in the direction of ejector movement and is provided with an upturned portion 105 in which the fixed pin 103 of the intercepter 89 is positioned when the coin carrier is in coin accepting position. Upon movementof the coin carrier from coin accepting towards coin depositing position the pin 103 acts as a crank to pivot the intercepter on its pivot 102 to the position shown in Fig. 11, when the intercepter is fully raised and cleared of the path of the coin into the coin box. In this position the pin falls into the elongated or slot portion 104 so as to permit further withdrawal of the ejector and carrier without interference by pin 103.

As noted in Fig. 12, movement of the coin carrier from coin accepting position to the position where the latch 93 engages the notch 95 is also sufficient to raise the coin intercepter 89 to coin intercepting position. However, in this position of the coin carrier, no coins can pass the depositing end 80 of the chute '76 as the top edge or rear end 81 of the coin carrier 6-5 is then disposed beneath the discharge end 80 of the coin chute. After the coin carrier 65, with its inturned rear edge 81, has been advanced to clear the coin chute discharge end 80, a spring biased stop 108 will snap into position below the coin discharge end 80 of the chute, as shown in Figs. 10 and 13, to prevent passage of a coin past the end of the discharge chute. Accordingly, coins inserted in the device at mid-cycle will be stored in position to key the cycle when the carrier returns to coin accepting position. As best shown in Fig. 10 the stop member is provided with a beveled edge 109 which acts to cam the stop away from chute blocking position upon return of the coin carrier to coin accepting position.

In the embodiment of the invention shown in Fig. 13 a modification is shown where floor 88 is replaced by a floor 127 which is at a higher level than floor 88. By so disposing floor 127 the machine is adapted to be keyed to a dime 128, rather than a nickel. Floor 127 is in closer proximity to the latch 93 than floor 88 so that the dime 128 is halted by abutment with latch 93, and will act to cam away the latch upon movement of the coin carrier towards coin depositing position. The coin slot 78 may be made of such size as to refuse admittance to coins. larger than a dime. In this manner the apparatus may be very simply converted to operation with a dime, rather than with a nickel, and without requiring extensive changes in the aforedescribed mechanism.

The machine is further provided with a spurious coin rejector which deflects underweight coins, slugs, or tokens from the coin carrier and latch mechanism directly to the coin return slot 91. The rejector comprises an unbalanced arm 111 swingably mounted to the main plate 67 on pivot 112. The arm, in the position which it normally assumes by gravity, extends across the chute 76, which is jogged or offset at 75 to deflect an incoming coin against the arm 111. In normal position the weight portion 107 of the arm abuts the internal wall 106 of the plate 113 (hereinafter described) to define the position of the arm as it extends into the path of coins traveling down the chute.

The coin chute 76 is also provided with a side opening 115, above the arm 111, and which leads to a coin reject chute which comprises a plate 113 bolted to the main plate 67 by the bolts 114. The spacing of plate 113 from the main plate 67 provides a chute leading to the coin return slot '91. Coins of proper Weight traveling down chute 76, and projected against arm 111, gave effective to overbalance arm 111 and to' proceed along chute 76- to its coin depositing end 80'. Underweight coins, or disc shaped slugs or'light material, are of insufficient weight to over-balance the arm 111 and are deflected thereby through the side opening 115 in the coin track 76 and into the coin chute 113, and thence to the coin return slot 91. The provisions of the jog or offset 75 intermediate the ends of the coin chute 76 and immediately above the unbalanced pivot 111 provided for a substantially vertical drop of the coin against the unbalanced pivot to make the full weight of the coin effective on the arm and assure that a coin of the proper weight will over-balance the pivot to permit its continu ance of the coin to the coin carrier 65.

As before indicated, coins which are effective to key the dispensing cycle drop into the coin collecting box 99 at the bottom of the dispenser. Coin box 99 is enclosed by the skirt or walls of the dispenser, including the side wall 59. The coin box 99 is of novel construction whereby to be capable of supporting itself in tilted position solely from its oppositely directed rear flanges 1 17. Flanges 117 slidably ride in the elongated slots 118 in the skirt or side walls at either side of the dispenser. The slots 118 have top and bottom edges comprising horizontal channels or tracks to contain the flanges 117.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 4, flanges 117 are elongated in a plane angularly related to the plane of the slot 118 and are of less thickness than the slot width. In locked position the forward portion of the coin box 99 is supported by a lock 120 having an operator 121 which engages an apertured car 122 extending from the dispenser casing. The rear portion of the box is supported on the bottom edges of the flanges 117. Accordingly, in locked position, the coin box has a three point suspension. The plane in which the respective flanges 117 lie is angularly related to the plane of the slot so that the box is capable of tilting or oscillating on the flanges through an angle of approximately 45, and through the plane of the slots, to a position where it is downwardly inclined respecting the slots and is supported solely from its rear flanges 117. In tilted position the flanges 117 have their forward and rear edges respectively braced against the lower and upper edges of the slot 118. In this position the box may be advanced by sliding the flanges 117 along the slots 1-18 to -a forward projecting position shown in Fig. 4 whereby coin removal from the box is facilitated.

The dispensing cabinet is further provided with an empty signal and coin slot blocking device comprising an unbalanced lever 123 (Fig. 6) having an enlarged flag or head 124, the lever being pivoted upon a pin intermediate its ends. The end of the lever opposite the flag 124 is provided with a follower 126 against which the the article packages 22 bear to maintain the lever upright as long as the dispenser is loaded with packages. However, upon ejection of the last package from the dispenser, and consequent release of pressure upon the follower 126, the weight of the arm will cause the arm to pivot about the pin 125 and permit the flag or head 124 to drop to blocking position respecting coin 78. In this manner subsequent insertion of coins in the slot 78 is prevented and the fact that the dispenser is empty is signaled.

From the foregoing description and the accompanying drawings, it may be seen that an improved dispenser having a dispensing cycle and a coin control mechanism which keys the cycle to the insertion of a properly dimensioned coin has been provided. The parts are so related that the coin control mechanism may be fabricated entirely separately from the cabinet and wholly removed from the dispenser for replacement or repair. The construction of the coin control mechanism is such that it may be rapidly assembled with conventional stamped parts in a rapid inexpensive mass production technique. The novel and improved details of the cabinet and coin control mechanism contribute to the improved operation of the device.

I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, an independently fabricated coin control mechanism, removably applicable to an article dispenser, comprising a main plate, an auxiliary plate mounted in spaced parallel relation upon the main plate, a coin carrier mounted between said plates so as to be slidable therebetween, a coin chute comprising an additional auxiliary plate mounted in spaced relation to the main plate and leading from a coin admitting slot to a coin delivery position, said carrier having a coin accepting position immediately below the coin delivery end of the chute, a floor below the coin carrier and upon which an accepted coin rests as laterally confined between the carrier and one of said main and auxiliary plates, one of said auxiliary and main plates being provided with an elongated slot, said carrier being provided with guide pins engaged in the slot and upon which the carrier is guided between coin accepting and coin depositing position, said carrier being provided with a notched side parallel with said plates, and a latch pivotally mounted upon the main plate and projecting into the path of the carrier notch to block movement of the carrier from coin accepting to coin depositing position, the distance between the floor aforesaid and the notch being such that a coin of predetermined size admitted into the carrier will span the carrier notch to cam the latch away from notch engagement on movement of the carrier toward coin depositing position, in further combination with a coin intercepter mounted for pivotal movement between said main and auxiliary plates and in a plane parallel thereto, said interceptor having a fixed pin, said carrier having an opening in which the pin is journaled and by means of which the intercepter is pivoted about its pivotal axis to coin intercepting position upon movement of the carrier towards coin depositing position.

2. In a device of the character described, a coin control mechanism having a coin chute with a discharge end, a coin carrier having a coin accepting position below said chute discharge end, said carrier having a coin depositing position remote from the discharge end of the chute, a latch efiective upon the carrier between its coin accepting and coin depositing position to normally prevent such movement, said carrier being provided with a shoulder toward which the latch is normally biased, a track spaced below the discharge end of the chute and spaced from the latch a distance suflicient that a coin of predetermined size will rest upon the track'and cam the latch away from the shoulder during the course of carrier movement from coin accepting to coin discharge position, in further combination with a coin interceptor mounted for pivotal movement in the path of a coin advanced by the carrier to coin depositing position, and motion transmitting connections between the carrier and interceptor for pivotally moving said interceptor to coin intercepting positions in the course of carrier movement to coin depositing position, said coin interceptor comprising a member normally constituting an extension of the track upon which the coin travels.

3. In a device of the character described, a coin control mechanism having a coin chute with a discharge end, a coin carrier having a coin accepting position below said chute discharge end, said carrier having a coin depositing position remote from the discharge end of the chute, a latch effective upon the carrier between its coin accepting and coin depositing position to normally prevent such movement, said carrier being provided with a shoulder toward which the latch is normally biased, a track spaced below the discharge end of the chute and spaced from the latch a distance sufficient that a coin of predetermined size will rest upon the track and cam the latch away from the shoulder during the course of carrier movement from coin accepting to coin discharge position, in further combination with a coin interceptor mounted for pivotal movement in the path of a coin advanced by the carrier to coin depositing position and motion transmitting connections between the carrier and interceptor for pivotally moving said interceptor to coin intercepting positions in the course of carrier movement to coin depositing position, said motion transmitting connections between the interceptor and carrier comprising a slot in the carrier elongated in the direction in which the carrier is movable, and a fixed pin on the interceptor offset from its pivotal axis and engaged with the slot, said slot comprising a transversely oifset portion which engages the interceptor pin when the carriage is in coin accepting position.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said mechanism further comprises a coin box and a chute communicating with the coin box, said last mentioned chute being disposed beneath the interceptor and uncovered by the interceptor during the course of its pivotal movement.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein the said coin carrier has a notched side constituting said shoulder and a top edge so spaced from the track that an undersized coin will roll beneath the latch when it rests against said edge.

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